I moved to San Francisco right out of engineering school in Florida, bringing my three young sons. We settled in Mill Valley, in Marin County. My sons grew and prospered here with one graduating from Berkeley and another from UC Santa Cruz. Two daughters came along.

We all live in California. I’m the patriarch of my family here, with grandkids. (One girl in in college in Arizona – it’s cheaper than in-state tuition in California!)

No, I’m not going to give up on California. It is my home and my children’s and grandchildren’s home. I may end up a pauper but I’ll go down fighting to make this state a proper home for American families and a contributor to a greater USA.

While it might be rational in self-interest to move to easier living, lower taxes, better civics – California is where I’ll make my stand.